The regimental Banner / Colours of the 6 Heavy Artillery Regiment – City of Lvov (Lwow), has recently (this month) been donated by a family that wish to remain private – to the Museum in Gdansk.
Fortunately, kept in great condition since September 39th and finally (perhaps slightly overdue decision re donation, I think) – as the relevant national treasure – accessible to the wider audience.

Fellows,
Again – not directly related to the WW2 period – but I believe that this particular Pin is worth posting – as it clearly adds to the knowledge regarding design / provenience of some of the symbolic Eagles that had been in circulation / use by various Polish National / Fraternal organisations in the USA.

At the beginning of the last century many such fraternal and paramilitary organisations had been formed – and many of them provided volunteers who joined the America / Canadian contingent of the Blue Army of gen Haller in France – and that effort clearly is a very relevant episode of polish military history.

Some 24,000 USA / Canadian Poles were taken in (out of 38,000 who volunteered) and after a brief military training in Niagara on the Lake, they were sent to France in Q1/2 1918 and subsequently the consolidated army was transferred Poland (by early 1919 still in France, the Blue Army numbered 68,500 men) to take part in Polish – Ukrainian War from May 1919, and majority of units served beyond the war with Bolsheviks in 1920.This particular Pin – is an interesting one, in addition to the Eagle as such, it links 2 organisations – Sons of Poland (SSP – post 72 – Passaic NJ) and Knights of Marcina. The pin was minted for the 25th anniversary of the Knights. I have not manage to find anything meaningful on the Knights – but a good summary re Sons of Poland.

The Badge – is an additional benefit!

Perhaps any of You has some source info on the Knights? Book by Zawistowki futures some pictures of Eagles – used by “Polish knight’s organisations

The Association of the Sons of Poland was established as a Fraternal Benefit Society in 1903 to provide death benefits for Polish-American families and to send financial help to relatives in Poland. The Society was incorporated under provision of an act of the Legislature of the State of New Jersey entitled “An Act to Incorporate Association not for Pecuniary Profit” approved April 21, 1898 and several supplements thereto and acts amendatory thereof. The Certificate of Incorporation was executed on February 24, 1911, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Hudson County on February 27, 1911. Mergers with other similar fraternals were effected in various years, the last being the Polish Alliance in the East on February 26, 1914.

Just prior to World War Two, the Association was directly involved in the establishment of the Polish-American Congress and the Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee in New York City. At that time, the Association was recognized for being the most active organization in the Polish-American Community and was decorated by the Second Republic of Poland with the coveted Złoty Krzyż Zasługi (Gold Cross of Merit). The Association continued assisting Poland during her most devastating years of war.
Spurce: ssp www

Fellows
I have recently come across the following pictures that – place the 40m Casted Eagle without the „small shield” (discussed on the forum before) – in its natural habitat – so to say.
This is rather the definitive proof – that leads to the full identification of this variant.

Fellows
One more step in finding out more / discovering the story behind the Polish WWII/I Eagles.

I have found, so I think, an incredible picture, – featuring the Eagle designed and used by the Association of Polish Veterans in the USA. Association originally set up in c1920 by ex-Blue Army veterans and then did develop into a large and active nationwide society.

This particular Eagle is very rare (to my experience) – made by White and H and was most likely created in 30th. Source is LoC, USA

FANY 1939-1945
After the German invasion of Poland in 1939, 24,000 Poles escaped to re-form into fighting units in Scotland, and the FANYs provided them with uniforms, weapons, vehicles, equipment, food, and administration and drivers’ services.

Another FANY unit was in France with the BEF, returning via St. Malo during the Dunkirk withdrawal.

Other FANYs worked during the war as radio officers, encryption specialists, wireless operators, radar operators, personal assistants (drivers, coders and decoders) in the UK, North Africa, Italy, India, Ceylon and the Far East.

Gallantry awards included: three George Crosses; two George Medals; a King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom; a King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct; two Commendations for Good Service; and 36 Mentions in Despatches. Also: one CBE; six OBEs; 23 MBEs; 10 BEMs. There were numerous foreign decorations too: one Chevalier of the Legion of Honour; six Croix de Guerre; two Medaille de la Reconnaissance; one Norwegian Liberty Medal; one US Bronze Star; and one US Medal of Freedom with Bronze Palm.

The Field Army Nursing Yeomanry is a very interesting and unusual organisation. It was actually a woman's charity and was not part of the British Army. I don't know how that worked. During WW2 I believe that some 40 FANY ladies were dropped into France. A high proportion were captured and tortured and/or killed. Several were awarded the George Cross which is the civilian equivalent of the Victoria Cross. My Mum was a FANY but only a driver in Scotland.

It actually is interesting to learn how the 3 organisations (FANY, WAFF and Polish Auxiliary Services “PAS” (both for Army and Air Force)), positively existed and co-operated effectively.

Perhaps You have any pictures of your Mum – wearing Polish Eagle?

On of the most relevant sources re PAS – are the pictures taken during the 1st course for volunteers for Air Force Auxiliary service that took place in Falkrik in Scotland between 1.05-10.06.1943. PAS then worked with WAAF and progressively took over the WAAF responsibilities, up to 1947.

From the perspective – of knowledge re Polish WW2 Eagles – participants of that course did wear the J R Gaunt & Sons Army Eagle. What is very interesting – one of the pictures presents (i presume) – “the instructor / liaison” – a lady in British uniform with the NCO British ranks and – Polish Eagle (again J R Gaunt & Sons Army, one) – but on the pocket + Poland patch. She is neither WAAF, nor FANY.

The last photo in the series is dated 23.02.1943, Hutton Cranswick - was taken during the “squadron day” for 316 polish Fighter squadron. It futures the members of WAAF – they do not have any Polish distinctions.

Sourcs of PICs - sikorski's / karta

by jamest8

The Field Army Nursing Yeomanry is a very interesting and unusual organisation. It was actually a woman's charity and was not part of the British Army. I don't know how that worked. During WW2 I believe that some 40 FANY ladies were dropped into France. A high proportion were captured and tortured and/or killed. Several were awarded the George Cross which is the civilian equivalent of the Victoria Cross. My Mum was a FANY but only a driver in Scotland.